I've been seeing this for ages with intrepid, and now jaunty. Occasionaly, telling network-manager to reconnect by just re-selecting the ESSID again, or killing wpa_supplicant helps. It frequently tries to connect to non-ideal AP's. In fact, looking at wpa_supplicant.log, it appears to never be trying any of the strongest AP's available. The ESS ID i'm trying to connect to is UWS. The strengths of the various AP's are as follows: UWS: 25/100 00:1E:7A:A7:5B:EE UWS: 43/100 00:1E:7A:A7:5B:E1 UWS: 49/100 00:1E:4A:56:97:F1 UWS: 49/100 00:1E:7A:A7:53:01 UWS: 55/100 00:1E:4A:56:8E:B1 UWS: 65/100 00:1E:7A:A7:58:6E UWS: 71/100 00:1E:7A:A7:58:61 UWS: 72/100 00:1E:7A:A7:58:41 I'm attaching syslog, wpa_supplicant.log, and the output from sudo iwlist scanning is below: wlan0 Scan completed : Cell 01 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:58:61 ESSID:"UWS" Mode:Master Channel:1 Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1) Quality=71/100 Signal level:-63 dBm Noise level=-96 dBm Encryption key:on IE: Unknown: 0003555753 IE: Unknown: 01080B0C129618243048 IE: Unknown: 030101 IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B1A IE: Unknown: 2A0100 IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: 3202606C IE: Unknown: 9606004096000B00 IE: WPA Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961401 Bit Rates:5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=000001342521c11b Extra: Last beacon: 3820ms ago Cell 02 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:53:02 ESSID:"eduroam" Mode:Master Channel:6 Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6) Quality=49/100 Signal level:-79 dBm Noise level=-96 dBm Encryption key:on IE: Unknown: 0007656475726F616D IE: Unknown: 01080B0C129618243048 IE: Unknown: 030106 IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B1A IE: Unknown: 2A0100 IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: 3202606C IE: Unknown: 9606004096000B00 IE: WPA Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961401 Bit Rates:5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=0000013424cf7929 Extra: Last beacon: 3248ms ago Cell 03 - Address: 02:02:80:D1:FA:53 ESSID:"OLSR" Mode:Ad-Hoc Channel:11 Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11) Quality=73/100 Signal level:-61 dBm Noise level=-96 dBm Encryption key:off IE: Unknown: 00044F4C5352 IE: Unknown: 010482840B16 IE: Unknown: 03010B IE: Unknown: 06020000 Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s Extra:tsf=000000000072f989 Extra: Last beacon: 2836ms ago Cell 04 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:5B:ED ESSID:"eduroam" Mode:Master Channel:161 Frequency:5.805 GHz (Channel 161) Quality=40/100 Signal level:-82 dBm Noise level=-98 dBm Encryption key:on IE: Unknown: 0007656475726F616D IE: Unknown: 01088C129824B048606C IE: Unknown: 050400010000 IE: Unknown: 0712434120240414340414640514840314950414 IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: 9606004096001100 IE: WPA Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961401 Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=000000a185254044 Extra: Last beacon: 364ms ago Cell 05 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:5B:EF ESSID:"HowToConnectToWireless" Mode:Master Channel:161 Frequency:5.805 GHz (Channel 161) Quality=35/100 Signal level:-82 dBm Noise level=-96 dBm Encryption key:off IE: Unknown: 0016486F77546F436F6E6E656374546F576972656C657373 IE: Unknown: 01088C129824B048606C IE: Unknown: 050400010000 IE: Unknown: 0712434120240414340414640514840314950414 IE: Unknown: 9606004096001100 IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961400 Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=000000a185254044 Extra: Last beacon: 340ms ago Cell 06 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:5B:EE ESSID:"UWS" Mode:Master Channel:161 Frequency:5.805 GHz (Channel 161) Quality=15/100 Signal level:-83 dBm Noise level=-89 dBm Encryption key:on IE: Unknown: 0003555753 IE: Unknown: 01088C129824B048606C IE: Unknown: 0712434120240414340414640514840314950414 IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: 9606004096001100 IE: WPA Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961401 Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=000000a185254044 Extra: Last beacon: 388ms ago Cell 07 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:58:41 ESSID:"UWS" Mode:Master Channel:11 Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11) Quality=76/100 Signal level:-58 dBm Noise level=-96 dBm Encryption key:on IE: Unknown: 0003555753 IE: Unknown: 01080B0C129618243048 IE: Unknown: 03010B IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B1A IE: Unknown: 2A0102 IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: 3202606C IE: Unknown: 9606004096000B00 IE: WPA Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961401 IE: Unknown: DD1D0040960C012601553BA7332001000046D82000000031DEFA2DD9BEB6F6 Bit Rates:5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=0000013422b9632b Extra: Last beacon: 2840ms ago Cell 08 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:58:42 ESSID:"eduroam" Mode:Master Channel:11 Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11) Quality=76/100 Signal level:-58 dBm Noise level=-96 dBm Encryption key:on IE: Unknown: 0007656475726F616D IE: Unknown: 01080B0C129618243048 IE: Unknown: 03010B IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B1A IE: Unknown: 2A0102 IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: 3202606C IE: Unknown: 9606004096000B00 IE: WPA Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961401 IE: Unknown: DD1D0040960C0126016E3BA7332001000047D82000000008517DDC80428AE2 Bit Rates:5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=0000013422b90597 Extra: Last beacon: 2836ms ago Cell 09 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:5B:E1 ESSID:"UWS" Mode:Master Channel:11 Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11) Quality=45/100 Signal level:-82 dBm Noise level=-96 dBm Encryption key:on IE: Unknown: 0003555753 IE: Unknown: 01080B0C129618243048 IE: Unknown: 03010B IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B1A IE: Unknown: 2A0102 IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: 3202606C IE: Unknown: 9606004096000B00 IE: WPA Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961401 Bit Rates:5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=0000013424f91747 Extra: Last beacon: 92ms ago Cell 10 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:58:40 ESSID:"HowToConnectToWireless" Mode:Master Channel:11 Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11) Quality=76/100 Signal level:-58 dBm Noise level=-96 dBm Encryption key:off IE: Unknown: 0016486F77546F436F6E6E656374546F576972656C657373 IE: Unknown: 01080B0C129618243048 IE: Unknown: 03010B IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B1A IE: Unknown: 2A0102 IE: Unknown: 3202606C IE: Unknown: 9606004096000B00 IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961400 IE: Unknown: DD1D0040960C012601863BA7332001000045D8200000000A29E257A1AB8E18 Bit Rates:5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=0000013422b8a0cc Extra: Last beacon: 2840ms ago Cell 11 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:58:4D ESSID:"eduroam" Mode:Master Channel:149 Frequency:5.745 GHz (Channel 149) Quality=55/100 Signal level:-60 dBm Noise level=-82 dBm Encryption key:on IE: Unknown: 0007656475726F616D IE: Unknown: 01088C129824B048606C IE: Unknown: 050400010000 IE: Unknown: 0712434120240414340414640514840314950414 IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: 9606004096001100 IE: WPA Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961401 Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=0000013422d19044 Extra: Last beacon: 1196ms ago Cell 12 - Address: 00:1E:4A:56:8E:B2 ESSID:"eduroam" Mode:Master Channel:1 Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1) Quality=58/100 Signal level:-73 dBm Noise level=-96 dBm Encryption key:on IE: Unknown: 0007656475726F616D IE: Unknown: 01080B0C129618243048 IE: Unknown: 030101 IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B1A IE: Unknown: 2A0100 IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: 3202606C IE: Unknown: 9606004096001100 IE: WPA Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961401 IE: Unknown: DD1D0040960C01D3116D5FA733200100000FFE1C00000082466E823E2CCC41 Bit Rates:5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=00000134220e5b3f Extra: Last beacon: 3836ms ago Cell 13 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:58:62 ESSID:"eduroam" Mode:Master Channel:1 Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1) Quality=71/100 Signal level:-63 dBm Noise level=-96 dBm Encryption key:on IE: Unknown: 0007656475726F616D IE: Unknown: 01080B0C129618243048 IE: Unknown: 030101 IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B1A IE: Unknown: 2A0100 IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: 3202606C IE: Unknown: 9606004096000B00 IE: WPA Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961401 Bit Rates:5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=0000013425211ba5 Extra: Last beacon: 3836ms ago Cell 14 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:58:60 ESSID:"HowToConnectToWireless" Mode:Master Channel:1 Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1) Quality=66/100 Signal level:-67 dBm Noise level=-96 dBm Encryption key:off IE: Unknown: 0016486F77546F436F6E6E656374546F576972656C657373 IE: Unknown: 01080B0C129618243048 IE: Unknown: 030101 IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B1A IE: Unknown: 2A0100 IE: Unknown: 3202606C IE: Unknown: 9606004096000B00 IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961400 Bit Rates:5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=0000013425209c74 Extra: Last beacon: 3844ms ago Cell 15 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:58:6F ESSID:"HowToConnectToWireless" Mode:Master Channel:36 Frequency:5.18 GHz (Channel 36) Quality=65/100 Signal level:-62 dBm Noise level=-88 dBm Encryption key:off IE: Unknown: 0016486F77546F436F6E6E656374546F576972656C657373 IE: Unknown: 01088C129824B048606C IE: Unknown: 050400010000 IE: Unknown: 0712434120240414340414640514840314950414 IE: Unknown: 9606004096000F00 IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961400 Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=0000013425361044 Extra: Last beacon: 2736ms ago Cell 16 - Address: 00:1E:4A:56:8E:B1 ESSID:"UWS" Mode:Master Channel:1 Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1) Quality=61/100 Signal level:-71 dBm Noise level=-96 dBm Encryption key:on IE: Unknown: 0003555753 IE: Unknown: 01080B0C129618243048 IE: Unknown: 030101 IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B1A IE: Unknown: 2A0100 IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: 3202606C IE: Unknown: 9606004096001100 IE: WPA Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961401 IE: Unknown: DD1D0040960C01D311545FA733200100000EFE1C000000FD2D68BD4D6E65AB Bit Rates:5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=00000134220eb8bd Extra: Last beacon: 3836ms ago Cell 17 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:58:6E ESSID:"UWS" Mode:Master Channel:36 Frequency:5.18 GHz (Channel 36) Quality=67/100 Signal level:-61 dBm Noise level=-88 dBm Encryption key:on IE: Unknown: 0003555753 IE: Unknown: 01088C129824B048606C IE: Unknown: 0712434120240414340414640514840314950414 IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: 9606004096000F00 IE: WPA Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961401 Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=000001342537a044 Extra: Last beacon: 2684ms ago Cell 18 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:58:6D ESSID:"eduroam" Mode:Master Channel:36 Frequency:5.18 GHz (Channel 36) Quality=70/100 Signal level:-61 dBm Noise level=-89 dBm Encryption key:on IE: Unknown: 0007656475726F616D IE: Unknown: 01088C129824B048606C IE: Unknown: 050400010000 IE: Unknown: 0712434120240414340414640514840314950414 IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: 9606004096000F00 IE: WPA Version 1 Group Cipher : TKIP Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP Authentication Suites (1) : 802.1x IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961401 Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=000001342537a044 Extra: Last beacon: 2660ms ago Cell 19 - Address: 00:1E:4A:56:8E:B0 ESSID:"HowToConnectToWireless" Mode:Master Channel:1 Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1) Quality=61/100 Signal level:-71 dBm Noise level=-96 dBm Encryption key:off IE: Unknown: 0016486F77546F436F6E6E656374546F576972656C657373 IE: Unknown: 01080B0C129618243048 IE: Unknown: 030101 IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B1A IE: Unknown: 2A0100 IE: Unknown: 3202606C IE: Unknown: 9606004096001100 IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961400 IE: Unknown: DD1D0040960C01D311855FA733200100000DFE1C0000000321FE3D3D276665 Bit Rates:5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s Extra:tsf=00000134220df4c4 Extra: Last beacon: 3836ms ago Cell 20 - Address: 00:1E:7A:A7:58:4F ESSID:"HowToConnectToWireless" Mode:Master Channel:149 Frequency:5.745 GHz (Channel 149) Quality=60/100 Signal level:-60 dBm Noise level=-84 dBm Encryption key:off IE: Unknown: 0016486F77546F436F6E6E656374546F576972656C657373 IE: Unknown: 01088C129824B048606C IE: Unknown: 050400010000 IE: Unknown: 0712434120240414340414640514840314950414 IE: Unknown: 9606004096001100 IE: Unknown: DD06004096010104 IE: Unknown: DD050040960305 IE: Unknown: DD050040960B09 IE: Unknown: DD050040961400 Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s